LONDON (Bywire News) - A woman, known only as Alice, has branded comedian Russell Brand's dismissal of her allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse as "insulting", reports the Guardian. Alice, who opted to use an alias to ensure her privacy, has added her voice to a series of accusations aimed at Brand.
Alice claimed in an interview with the Times that she was just a 16-year-old schoolgirl when the then 31-year-old Brand initiated an illicit relationship with her. She alleges that he used his fame, reputation as well as his BBC connections to transport her from her school premises to him.
In response to these accusations and similar claims made by other women, Brand has categorically denied any wrongdoing. He suggested that the allegations are part of a wider media conspiracy to disparage his name and reputation. He did so by retreating to his popular YouTube channel, where he presents himself as a renegade and adversary to the powers that be within the media.
Even amid these volatile allegations, Brand didn't cancel his scheduled appearance at London's Troubadour Wembley Park theatre on Saturday. On stage, he voiced his appreciation to his fans for their support, stating there were matters he couldn't discuss. In spite of the ongoing controversy, he assured the audience of his wholehearted commitment to his craft.
Rejecting Brand's conspiracy theory, Alice told BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour: “The suggestion that this is some kind of mainstream media plot is not only insulting, it's laughable. Brand is hardly an outsider – last year he was involved in a Universal Pictures film; he was even part of a children's movie, Minions.”
(By Michael O'Sullivan)